Wheeled device for snowmobile ski

ABSTRACT

A device for attaching to a ski of a snowmobile includes first and second spaced apart legs. Each leg has a ski engaging portion proximate a second end that is configured to engage a bottom surface of the ski proximate outer edges thereof. The device includes at least one wheel attached to the first and second legs between the first end and the second end and a cross bar that attaches the first and second legs proximate first ends thereof. The device includes a lever arm extending from the cross bar between the first and second legs wherein the lever arm is configured to be angularly positionable relative to the first and second spaced apart legs. A handle is attached to a distal end of the lever arm and has a surface configured to engage a tip end or a ski handle of the ski. The device includes a retaining member attached to the handle that is configured to engage the ski handle, wherein when the ski engaging portions engage a bottom surface of the ski and the retaining member engages the ski handle, the ski is elevated and the at least one wheel engages the ground surface such that the skis do not contact the ground surface as the snowmobile is moved.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This Application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/985,531, filed Aug. 5, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/677,343, filed Nov. 7, 2019, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/106,974 filed on Aug. 21,2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,486,729, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/548,648 entitled WHEELEDDEVICE FOR SNOWMOBILE SKI that was filed on Aug. 22, 2017, the contentsof which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a device for attaching to a snowmobileski. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a wheeleddevice for attaching to a ski of a snowmobile to more easily move thesnowmobile over a snow-free or ice-free surface.

Snowmobiles are vehicles configured to travel over snow and ice.Snowmobiles have tracks, typically with spaced apart lugs configured topenetrate snow and grip ice to propel the vehicle as the track is movedin a loop that is powered by an engine. Snowmobiles have skis located atthe front of the vehicle to grip into snow and ice where the skis areused to the steer the vehicle. In order to effectively grip the snow andice, the skis can have carbide runners that penetrate snow and grip ice.

While the skis with carbide runners are effective to steer thesnowmobile over snow and ice, the skis with carbide runners are notefficient in moving the snowmobile over land or other dry surfaces, suchas a floor of a building or a bed of a truck or trailer. When moving asnowmobile over or other dry surfaces, the skis have a tendency ofsliding or skidding, which adversely affects the ability to steer thesnowmobile. Additionally, the carbide runners and along with the skiscan excessively wear over a short period of time when traveling over drysurfaces.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for attaching toa ski of a snowmobile where the device includes first and second spacedapart legs. Each leg has a ski engaging portion proximate a second endthat is configured to engage a bottom surface of the ski proximate outeredges thereof. The device includes at least one wheel attached to thefirst and second legs between the first end and the second end and across bar that attaches the first and second legs proximate first endsthereof. The device includes a lever arm extending from the cross barbetween the first and second legs wherein the lever arm is configured tobe angularly positionable relative to the first and second spaced apartlegs. A handle is attached to a distal end of the lever arm and has asurface configured to engage a tip end or a ski handle of the ski. Thedevice includes a retaining member attached to the handle that isconfigured to engage the ski handle, wherein when the ski engagingportions engage a bottom surface of the ski and the retaining memberengages the ski handle, the ski is elevated and the at least one wheelengages the ground surface such that the skis do not contact the groundsurface as the snowmobile is moved.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device forattaching to a ski of a snowmobile where the device includes first andsecond spaced apart legs. Each leg has a ski engaging portion proximatea second end that is configured to engage a bottom surface of the skiproximate outer edges thereof. The device includes at least one wheelattached to the first and second legs between the first end and thesecond end and a cross bar that attaches the first and second legsproximate first ends thereof. The device includes a lever arm extendingfrom the cross bar between the first and second legs wherein the leverarm is configured to be angularly positionable relative to the first andsecond spaced apart legs. The device includes a retaining memberattached to the lever arm and configured to engage the ski handle,wherein when the ski engaging portions engage a bottom surface of theski and the retaining member engages the ski handle, the ski is elevatedand the at least one wheel engages the ground surface such that the skisdo not contact the ground surface as the snowmobile is moved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled device engaging a ski of asnowmobile.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the wheeled device engaging the ski of thesnowmobile.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a front portion of the wheeled deviceengaging a front portion of the ski of the snowmobile.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wheeled device.

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the wheeled device.

FIG. 6 is schematic view of a carbide retaining member on an arm of thewheeled device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a carbide retainingmember on an arm of the wheeled device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a stop attached to the arms.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a hook for a ski pivotally attached to alever arm.

FIG. 10 is schematic view of a hook with a side pivot.

FIG. 10 a is a side view of the hook with side pivot as illustrated inFIG. 10 .

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a bracket attached to a ski handle.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the wheeled device with a twistingretaining mechanism.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the twisting retaining mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a front view of the retaining mechanism in an open position.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the retaining mechanism in a closed position.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the wheeled device with a Hirth joint.

FIG. 17 is a partial exploded view of the wheeled device.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the Hirth joint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A wheeled device for removably attaching to a ski of a snowmobile isgenerally illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 at 10. The device 10 is configured tobe secured to a ski 50 of a snowmobile and raise the ski 50 above groundlevel such that the ski 50 is supported in an elevated position by aplurality of wheel 12 and 14. With the device 10 secured to the ski 50and the plurality of wheels 12 and 14 engaging the ground surface, thesnowmobile can be driven to a selected location, without causing damageto the ski 50 or carbide runners (not shown) on the ski. While FIG. 1illustrates a wheeled device 10 secured to a single ski 50, it isunderstood that a second device 10 would be secured to a second ski (notshown) such that the snowmobile can be steered on dry land or other drysurfaces using the wheels 12 and 14 on the device 10.

The device 10 is assembled utilizing a plurality of part that aresecured together with common tools, such as a hex key, which is commonlyreferred to as an Allen wrench. Because the device 10 can be easilyassembled, it can be shipped in a compact, disassembled state. Further,the devices 10 can assembled to be mirror images of each other, makingthe securing the device 10 to the skis easier. As the device 10 can beinstalled on either ski, only one device 10 will be discussed anillustrated going forward.

The device 10 includes a left arm 20 and a right arm 120 that aresubstantially mirror images of each other. The left arm 20 includes asubstantially flat portion 24 proximate a back end 26 that transitionsto an arcuate, upwardly angled portion 28 through an arcuate middleportion 30.

The arms are typically molded from a polymeric material such that thearms have a monolithic or unitary construction. However, other materialsof construction can also be utilized, including an aluminum tube thatcan be bent to a desired configuration or cut and welded into a desiredconfiguration. Additional materials of construction include steel plate,an aluminum I-beam and steel insert with a polymeric over-mold.

The left arm 20 includes a ski engaging member 32 that extends inwardlyfrom a location proximate the back end 26. The ski engaging member 32has an upper surface 34 that is configured to engage a bottom surface 52of the ski 50. As illustrated, the ski engaging member 32 includes asubstantially vertical portion 36 and an angled portion 38 connectedwith an arcuate portion 40 that includes the upper surface 34.

The left arm 20 includes a clamp 42 proximate a front end 44. The clamp42 includes a top member 46 and a bottom member 48 that define aclamping bore 50. The top member 46 includes a front portion 52 havingone or more bores and the bottom member 48 includes a similar frontportion 56 having one or more bores, where the bores align and accept abolt 60 such that as the bolt 60 threadably engages a nut 62, the bore50 constricts and secures a cross bar 80 therein.

The arm 20 includes a through bore (not shown) in the arcuate middleportion that accepts a bolt 52 that is also positioned through a bore ina hub 54 of a wheel 12 such that the bolt 52 is an axle about which thewheel 12 rotates. In other embodiments, the wheel is attached to abracket extending below the arms 20 and 120, which can provideadditional clearance between the ski and the ground surface.Additionally, a single wheel can be attached to the brackets below thearms 20 and 120, to provide additional clearance and in some instancesimproved maneuvering capabilities.

The arm 20 includes a tab 64 proximate an outer edge of the arm 20 andproximate the back end 26. The tab 64 is configured to engage an outeredge of the ski 50 to prevent lateral movement of the ski on the device10. The tab 64 as illustrated has a smooth surface for engaging thecarbide of the ski. However, the tab 64 can be knurled or have grip tapeapplied thereto to increase the grip between the carbide on the ski andthe tab 64. In other embodiments, a vertical surface proximate the tab64 has a layer of compressible material, such as rubber, to provide abumper between the arms 20 and the ski as the ski is positioned on thedevice 10.

Referring to FIG. 6 , another tab is illustrated at 300. The tab 300 hasa left tooth 302 having a substantially vertical surface 304 and anangled surface 306 extending upwardly therefrom. The tab 300 includes aright tooth 308 that is substantially the mirror image of the tooth 302.The right tooth 308 has a substantially vertical surface 310 and anangled surface 312. The angled surfaces 306 and 308 form a “V” shapedchannel that accept and center the carbide on the tab 300 as the ski ispositioned on the device 10.

Referring to FIG. 7 , another configuration of a tab 320 is illustrated.The tab 320 includes raised left and right teeth 322 and 324. The lefttooth 322 includes an angled surface 326 that overlaps with an angledsurface 328 on the right tooth 324 to form opposing surfaces that engagethe carbide on the ski. The teeth 322 and 324 may slightly flex toensure the carbide is retained therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 8 , in another embodiment, an optional stop 350 isattached to the arms 20 and 120. The stop 350 is located proximate thewheel 12 and includes an indention 354 configured to engage a crossbrace 356 on the ski. The engagement of the cross brace 356 withindention 354 prevents the ski from moving excessively forward on thedevice 10.

The arm 120 is the mirror image of the arm 20. Similar portions andfeatures of the arm 120 to that of the arm 20 are given a referencecharacter that is one hundred higher than the portions and features ofthe arm 20. For instance, the substantially flat portion of the arm 120is given reference character 124 while the substantially flat portion ofthe arm 20 is given reference character 24.

The cross bar 80 is constructed from a rigid material, such as a metal,and has a plurality of teeth 82 extending from a first end 86 to asecond end 88. The cross bar 80 includes raised flat portions 90 and 92extending from the first end 86 to the second end 88. An exemplary, butnon-limiting, material of construction for the cross bar 80 is aluminumbecause it is lightweight and strong.

A mounting bracket 102 attached to a lever arm 100 is positioned overthe cross bar 80. The mounting bracket 102 has a bore 104 having acomplimentary configuration to that of the cross bar 80, where groovesin the bore 104 accept the teeth 82 in the cross bar 80 and channels inthe bore accept the raised flat portions 90 and 92. The engagement ofthe teeth 82 with the grooves and the raised flat portions 90, 92 withthe channels allows the mounting bracket 102 to slide over the cross bar80 while preventing rotational movement of the lever arm 100 above thecross bar 80. The clamps 42 and 142 of the arms 20 and 120 arepositioned about the cross bar 80 proximate ends 79 and 81 and onopposite sides of the lever arm 100.

The lever arm 100 is rotated with the cross bar 80 within the clamps 42and 142 to a selected location relative to the left and right arms 20and 120, respectively, to provide a proper configuration for aparticular ski. The bolts 60 and 160 threadably engage the nuts 62 and162 in each of the clamps 42 and 142 to constrict the clamping bores 50and 150 about the cross bar 80 to secure the lever arm 100 in a selectedposition relative to the arms 20 and 120.

The lever arm 100 includes a back member 110 secured to the mountingbracket 104 and a front member 112 in sliding engagement with the backmember 110. The back member 110 includes left and right channels 109 and111 that engage left and right slides 113 and 114 in the front member112 which allows the front member to move along the length of the backmember 110 to adjust a length of the lever arm 100 while preventingrotational movement of the front member 112 about the back member 110.The back member is 110 is secured to the front member 112 with a setscrew to retain the lever arm 100 at a selected length for a particularski.

The lever arm 100 include a handle portion 116 at a distal end of thefront member 112. The handle portion 116 provides a gripping surface formoving the front member 112 relative to the back member 110 to adjustthe length of the lever arm 100. The handle portion 116 also includes asurface 117 configured to engage a ski tip and/or a ski handle 55.

The device 10 includes a substantially “U” shaped guide 200 attached tothe front member 112. The guide 200 includes left and right portions 202and 204 that extend below the lever arm 100. The left and right portions202 and 204 prevent lateral movement of the ski handle 55 when thedevice is installed on the ski 50.

The device also includes a hook member 210 attached to the guide 200.The hook member 210 include a substantially “J” shaped moveable member212 that include a vertical portion 214 and a portion 216 extending fromthe vertical portion 214. The portion 216 is configured to engage theski handle 55.

The hook member 210 include a mounting portion 220 that attaches to theguide 200 and has a channel 222 configured to accept the verticalportion 214 such that a location of the portion 216 can be adjustedrelative to the lever arm 100 to compensate for differently configuredskis and/or ski handles.

Referring to FIG. 9 , another configuration a hook member is illustratedat 400. The hook member 400 includes a top portion 402 that pivotallyattaches to the lever arm 100 with a pivot pin 403. The hook member 400includes a middle portion 404 extending from the top portion 402 and ahook portion 406 extending form the middle portion 404. To attach thehook member 400 to the ski handle 55, the ski 50 is lifted upward andthe hook member 400 is rotated about the pivot pin 402 until the hookportion 406 is below the ski handle 55, at which time the ski is loweredto engage the hook portion 406 with the ski handle 55.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a hook member at 430. The hookmember includes a mounting member 432 that is attached to the lever arm100. The mounting member 432 has spaced apart tabs 434 and 436 at adistal end 438 that define a gap 440. The tabs 434 and 436 have arcuateconvex surfaces 438 and aligned apertures 441.

The hook member 430 includes a retaining portion 442 having a tab 444 ata proximal end that is configured to be positioned in the gap 440. Thetab 444 has an aperture that aligns with the apertures 441 in the tabs434 and 436 such that a pivot pin 446 can be positioned therein topivotally attach the retaining portion 442 to the mounting member 432.The retaining portion 442 has arcuate concave surfaces 448 that arepositioned proximate the convex surfaces 438 and allow the retainingportion to pivot about the pivot pin 442.

To attach the retaining portion 442 to the ski 50, the ski 50 is liftedto a selected position and the retaining portion 442 is pivoted aboutthe pivot pin 442 until the retaining portion 442 is beneath the skihandle 55. The ski 50 is then lowered to cause the ski handle 55 toengage the retaining portion 442.

Referring to FIG. 11 , a U shaped bracket 450 is attached to the skihandle 55. The bracket 450 limits sliding movement of the attachingmechanism of the device 10 to the ski handle 55 to be between points 452and 454 of connection with the ski handle 55. As such a strap can bepositioned between the points 452 and 454 and a middle portion 456 toattached the ski handle 55 to the lever arm 100. In one embodiment ahook and loop fastening system is attached to the strap, such as thatsold under the VELCRO® trademark.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-5 , the device 10 is positioned about the ski50 by first positioning the arms 20 and 120 over the top of the skihandle 55 such that the ski engaging members 32 and 132 are locatedbelow the ski 50 where the ski engaging members 32 and 132 are spacedapart to allow a stabilizing bar 56 of the ski 50 to be locatedtherebetween. With the ski engaging member 32 and 132 located below theski 50, the ski 50 is raised by grasping the ski handle 55 and lift theski 50. With the ski 50 elevated, the device is move along the ski 50until the wheels 12 and 14 are located below the junction of thesteering mechanism with ski 50 so that the wheels 12 and 14 are alignedwith the steering mechanism.

The lever arm 100 is then lowered with manual force so that the portion216 of the substantially “J” shaped member 212 is located within thespace between the ski handle 55 and the ski 50. The ski 50 is thenreleased, resulting in the portion 216 engaging the ski handle 55 andthe weight of the ski (and snowmobile) causes the ski engaging members32 and 132 are raised to engage the bottom of the ski 50 through a leveraction where the wheels 12 and 14 act as the fulcrum.

The length of the lever arm 100 can be adjusted by moving the frontmember 112 over the back arm 110 such that the surface 117 of the handleportion 116 engages the ski tip and/or the ski handle 55. A bolt or setscrew 115 is then utilized to retain the lever arm 100 at the selectedlength.

The surface 117 of the handle 116 engaging the ski tip and/or ski handle55 prevents the ski 50 from moving forward on the device. Further theleft and right portions 202 and 204 on the guide 200 prevent lateralmovement of the ski handle 55 and, therefore, the ski 50 on the device10.

With the device 10 secured on both skis 50 on the snowmobile, the trackand wheels 12 and 14 are used to move the snowmobile to a selectedlocation without damaging the skis and/or carbide runners.

The device 10 removed from the ski 50 by lifting the ski handle 55 toremove weight of the ski (and snowmobile) from the device 10. Theportion 216 of the substantially “J” shaped member 212 is displaced fromthe ski handle 55 and the device 10 is rolled on the wheels 12 and 14off of the ski 50.

Referring to FIGS. 12-15 , the wheeled device is illustrated with a skihaving a ski handle 55 where the device has a twisting or rotatingretaining mechanism 500. A member of the retaining mechanism 500 isrotated in one direction to accept the ski handle 55 and is rotated inan opposite direction to retain the ski handle 55.

The retaining mechanism 500 includes a collar 502 that is frictionallysecured to the lever arm 100. The collar 502 is arcuate in configurationand includes a first end 512 and a second end 514 separated by a gap.

The collar 502 includes a left arcuate slot 518 and top arcuate slot 520and a right arcuate slot 522 that extend from a front surface to a backsurface. The collar 502 include a plurality of bore shaped channels 524that interrupt an outer surface 526 of the collar 502.

The slots 518, 520 and 522 along with the channels 524 providesufficient flexibility to the collar 502 such that as manual force isplace on the collar 502 and the lever arm 100, the ends 512 and 514spread apart to position the collar 502 about the lever arm 100. Withthe collar positioned about the lever arm 100, the ends 512 and 514 comecloser together to frictionally secure the collar 502 to the lever arm100.

The retaining mechanism 500 includes a retaining member 530 that ismovably coupled to the collar 502 such that the retaining member 530 ispositionable between an open position as illustrated in FIG. 14 and aclosed position as illustrated in FIG. 15 . The retaining member 530 hasan arcuate configuration with left and right ends 538 and 540 separatedby a gap.

The retaining member 530 has a slot 532 extending from a first end 534to a second end 536. A pin (not shown) or other retaining device ispositioned through the slot 532 and into the collar 502 to retain themember 530 to the collar 502 while allowing the retaining member to moverelative to the collar 502.

The retaining member 530 includes a plurality of raised members 542 onan outer surface 544 that provide a gripping surface to better enablethe movement of the retaining member 530 from the open position to theclosed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 , respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 16-18 , another embodiment of the wheeled device isillustrated at 600. The wheeled device 600 utilizes a plurality of Hirthjoints 602 instead of the clamps 42 and 142 to position the lever arm100 relative to the arms 20 and 120. First portions 604 of the Hirthjoints 602 are secured to opposite sides of the mounting bracket 104with a plurality of bolts positioned through apertures 606 in the firstportions 604 and into threaded bores 608 in the mounting bracket 104.

Second portions 610 of the Hirth joint are positioned within cavities612 in an inner end 614 of a shaft 616. The second portions 610 aresecured to the shafts 616 with bolts that are positioned throughapertures 618 in the second portions and threadable engage bores 620 inthe shafts.

With the first and second portions 604 and 610 secured to the mountingbracket 104 and the shafts 616, the arms 20 and (not shown) arepositioned over the shafts 616 such that a key 621 in a clamping bore622 engages a key slot 624 in the shaft 616 such that the arm 20 doesnot rotate relative to the shaft 616.

A bolt 630 is positioned through a through bore 617 in the shaft andinto a threaded bore 632 in the mounting bracket 104. The lever arm 100is positioned into a selected angular position relative to the arm 20and the bolt is tightened such that radial teeth in the first portion604 engages the radial teeth in the second portion 610 to retain thelever arm 100 and the arm 20 in the selected configuration.

To change the radial position of the lever arm 100 relative to the arm20, the bolt 630 is loosened to disengage the radial teeth in the firstand second portion 604 and 610 to allow the lever arm to pivotally moveto a second radial position. When in the second radial position, thebolt 630 is retightened to secure the first and second portions 604, 610together. As such, the Hirth joint allows the lever arm 100 to beradially positioned relative to the arm 20 to adapt to any configurationof the ski 50.

The key and the key slot 624 allow the arm 20 to move relative to theshaft to adapt the position of the arms 20, 120 to the width of the ski50. To move the arms 20, 120, bots in the clamping members 640 areloosened to expand the clamping bore. The arms 20, 120 can move relativeto the shafts 616.

The bolts are then tightened to constrict the clamping bore and retainthe arms 20, 120 in a selected position on the shafts 616. As such, thewidth of the arms 20, 120 and the configuration of the lever arm 100relative to the arms 20, 120 can be adjusted to accommodate most if notall skis of a snowmobile.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A device for attaching to a ski, includinga ski handle, of a snowmobile, the device comprising: first and secondspaced apart legs, each leg having a first end and a second end, whereineach leg includes a ski engaging portion proximate the second end thatis configured to engage a bottom surface of the ski proximate outeredges thereof wherein each leg of the first and second legs furthercomprises an upwardly extending tab configured to engage side surfacesof the ski; at least one wheel attached to the first and second legsbetween the first end and the second end; a lever arm extending fromproximate the first ends of the first and second legs; a retainingmember attached to the lever arm and configured to engage the skihandle, a stop extending from proximate a distal end of the lever arm,the stop configured to engage a front end of the ski wherein when theski engaging portions engage a bottom surface of the ski and theretaining member engages the ski handle, the ski is elevated and the atleast one wheel engages the ground surface such that the skis do notcontact the ground surface as the snowmobile is moved forward andwherein the extending tabs on the first and second spaced apart legs areconfigured to prevent lateral movement of the ski relative to the firstand second spaced apart arms and the stop is configured to limit forwardmovement as the snowmobile slows in speed.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the lever arm is configured to be angularly positionablerelative to the first and second spaced apart leg.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 and further comprising a cross bar attaching the first andsecond legs proximate the first ends wherein the lever arm engages thecross bar.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein each of the first andsecond legs comprises a clamping member proximate the first end, wherethe clamping member comprises: a top member; a bottom member, whereinthe top member and the bottom member define a clamping bore into whichthe cross bar is positioned; and at least one securing mechanism that isconfigured to position the clamp into a first position where the clampengages the cross bar to fix the angular position of the lever armrelative to the first and second legs and wherein the securing mechanismis configured to position the clamp in a second position wherein thecross bar and the lever arm can rotate within the clamping bore.
 5. Thedevice of claim 4, wherein the at least one securing mechanism comprisesa plurality of spaced apart bolts and nuts.
 6. The device of claim 4,wherein the cross bar comprises a plurality of teeth, the plurality ofteeth being configured to be positioned with the clamp.
 7. The device ofclaim 1, wherein each arm comprises a first portion of a Hirth jointnon-rotatably secured thereto.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein thecross bar comprises a second portion of a Hirth joint non-rotatablysecured to opposing ends thereof.
 9. The device of claim 8, and furthercomprising a securing mechanism configured to position and retain thefirst and second portion in a first position where the first and secondportions of the Hirth joint are non-rotatably secured to each other anda second position where the first and second portions of the Hirth jointare rotatable relative to each other.
 10. The device of claim 1, whereinthe retaining member comprises a monolithic member comprising: adownwardly extending portion; and a lateral portion extending from thedownwardly extending portion wherein the lateral portion is configuredto engage the ski handle.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein theretaining member comprises: a first portion attached to the lever arm;and a second portion hingedly attached to the first portion wherein thesecond portion is positionable into a first position wherein the secondportion engages the ski handle and a second position where the secondportion is displaced from the ski handle.
 12. The device of claim 1,wherein the retaining member comprises: a first portion non-rotatablyattached to the lever arm, the first portion having a first channelconfigured to accept a portion of the ski handle; and a second portionrotatably secured to the first portion, the second portion having asecond channel configured to pass the ski handle therethrough, whereinthe second portion is positionable into a first position where the firstand second channels are aligned such that the portion of the ski handleis positionable within the first channel and a second position wherein aportion of the second portion covers an entrance to the first portion toretain the ski handle to the retaining member.
 13. A device forattaching to a ski, including a ski handle, of a snowmobile, the devicecomprising: first and second spaced apart legs, each leg having a firstend and a second end, wherein each leg includes a ski engaging portionproximate the second end that is configured to engage a bottom surfaceof the ski proximate outer edges thereof, each of the first and secondlegs having a wheel attached thereto and wherein each leg of the firstand second legs further comprises an upwardly extending tab configuredto engage side surfaces of the ski; a lever arm extending from proximatethe first ends of the first and second spaced apart legs; a retainingmember attached to the lever arm, the handle having a surface configuredto engage a tip end or a ski handle of the ski; and a stop extendingfrom the lever proximate a distal end of the handle, wherein when theski engaging portions engage a bottom surface of the ski and theretaining member engages the ski handle, the ski is elevated and the atleast one wheel engages the ground surface such that the skis do notcontact the ground surface as the snowmobile is moved forward andwherein the extending tabs on the first and second spaced apart legs areconfigured to prevent lateral movement of the ski relative to the firstand second spaced apart arms and the stop is configured to limit forwardmovement as the snowmobile slows in speed.
 14. The device of claim 13,wherein the lever arm is configured to be angularly positionablerelative to the first and second spaced apart leg.
 15. The device ofclaim 14, wherein the cross bar comprises a plurality of teeth, theplurality of teeth being configured to be positioned with the clamp. 16.The device of claim 15, wherein the cross bar comprises a second portionof a Hirth joint non-rotatably secured to opposing ends thereof.
 17. Thedevice of claim 13 and further comprising a cross bar attaching thefirst and second legs proximate the first ends wherein the lever armengages the cross bar.
 18. The device of claim 13, wherein each of thefirst and second legs comprises a clamping member proximate the firstend, where the clamping member comprises: a top member; a bottom member,wherein the top member and the bottom member define a clamping bore intowhich the cross bar is positioned; and at least one securing mechanismthat is configured to position the clamp into a first position where theclamp engages the cross bar to fix the angular position of the lever armrelative to the first and second legs and wherein the securing mechanismis configured to position the clamp in a second position wherein thecross bar and the lever arm can rotate within the clamping bore.
 19. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein each arm comprises a first portion of aHirth joint non-rotatably secured thereto.
 20. The device of claim 19,and further comprising a securing mechanism configured to position andretain the first and second portion in a first position where the firstand second portions of the Hirth joint are non-rotatably secured to eachother and a second position where the first and second portions of theHirth joint are rotatable relative to each other.
 21. The device ofclaim 13, wherein the retaining member comprises: a first portionattached to the lever arm; and a second portion hingedly attached to thefirst portion wherein the second portion is positionable into a firstposition wherein the second portion engages the ski handle and a secondposition where the second portion is displaced from the ski handle.